Leonard the cat adopted after going viral on social media

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A Philadelphia cat was adopted Thursday after getting some love on social media despite a health condition. 

Leonard is a black-and-white tuxedo cat who resided at PSPCA's Philadelphia shelter. The eight-and-a-half-year-old boy (roughly 50 in human years) is looking to settle down with a loving owner in his middle age. Leonard was featured on CBS News Philadelphia Thursday morning.

But Leonard has benign mast cells — in other words, tumors — growing on his face and ears, which led to a heartbreaking and highly visible plea for his adoption posted on social media on Wednesday, Valentine's Day. The shelter said that was making it hard for him to get adopted.

The first of a multi-post thread shared Wednesday on X read:

"Leonard is one of the sweetest cats we have ever met.

Any time someone passes his kennel he is sure to greet them with a chirping meow and outstretched paws.

But, sadly, once potential adopters turn to see him, they leave the room with quiet snickers and whispers."

The post on X now has over 1.5 million views and over 16,000 likes. A post about Leonard over on Facebook had more than 1,300 shares with many replies in the comments asking if he's available for adoption.

Of the tumors, the PSPCA said "they are benign and do not seem to cause him any discomfort, but are seemingly hindering his adoption."

The shelter continued:

"We know that if someone were to see past his exterior and into his heart, they would fall in love with him, just like we have."

The posts touched many hearts on Valentine's Day but also led to plenty of calls for swift retribution on anyone who dissed the unconventional kitty.

"If you ever snickered at Leonard, just know that I'm coming for you," one X user replied. "I got your back," replied another.

You can learn about other adoptable pets and find a list of shelter locations, at PSPCA.org/adopt.

In:
• Pennsylvania
• Pet Adoption
• Pets
• Philadelphia